Small Hinges Swing Big Doors...

As usual, it's been a while since I've updated this. A lot has been going on, so here's a semi-quick recap:

Aug. 28 was a great 8-miler at the lake. I found myself leading the pack along with two other guys from my group, and running about a minute faster than training pace. It was wonderful and exhilarating. Not wonderful and exhilarating, however, was the following Saturday, Labor Day weekend, when during the 3-mile warmup before the 5-mile race, I realized something was definitely wrong. Everything felt off and the sides of my calves felt very strained and tight, which hadn't happened since the Independence Day 5k two months before. I opted not to run the race that day and see if new shoes would fix the problem; mine had started to look quite beat up and, upon review of my running log, had quite a few miles on them. Unfortunately the new shoes didn't quite do the trick (although they are quite awesome and I love the pink!), so I went to see a sports massage therapist one of my running friends recommended. She got me about 80% better but I knew she/massage was not going to be the solution I was looking for.

Luckily I ran with the Couch to Half group that week and the leader of that group referred me to Ambrose Coleman of Modern Fitness here in Dallas. Ambrose is a kinesiologist--exactly what I was looking for considering that I had come to the realization that the tendinitis I'd been battling was not the true problem but rather a symptom of a larger problem. From the outset, Ambrose told me that 'small hinges swing big doors,' and after working with him for just a few weeks, I'm finding truth in that statement. If you are a runner or tri-athlete in the area experiencing problems/pain, I would definitely recommend checking out Ambrose and Modern Fitness.

Anyhoo, last week I just couldn't find my stride; everything was off and nothing felt right. Even my shoes didn't feel right. I got to thinking (scary, I know), that if Ambrose and I have been working on correcting my running form and getting me to run efficiently (which is what my custom orthotics are designed to do), perhaps the orthotics were starting to work against me rather than aid me. After being in too much pain to run the Loop 15k last Saturday, I decided to conduct an experiment before my appointment with Ambrose on Monday. I ran without my orthotics for the first time since I got them and it felt wonderful!!! I did a few more short runs this week without them and think it's helping.

So that brings us up to today. I ran my first-ever 12-miler this morning! Yes, I have done a half marathon before (more than 12 miles), but I was injured at the time and unable to run the entire way with a bum leg, so I am really excited about this milestone. Most importantly, I felt strong and healthy the entire time, but I was also happy with my time. I hope to have the same type of performance for the upcoming half marathons--and I hope the weather is the same: cloudy and cool (low 50s)!

Well, college football calls. Time to recover, relax, watch football and enjoy the fall weather! :) GO FROGS!!!!!!